UA unveils new features for football season opener

For Razorback fans attending Saturday’s football season opener against Louisiana at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, there are a variety of new ways to get involved, including in helping welcome Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema and the team to the field with a new team entrance sequence that includes a traditional Hog Call just minutes before kickoff.

Shortly after the Razorback Marching Band forms the “A” in the north end zone, fans will be asked to join the band and cheerleaders in a Hog Call. As the cheer concludes, Coach Bielema and the Razorbacks will burst through the “A” to take the field. As the band and spirit squads clear the field for the start of the game, a special kickoff video will be played on the video board to help maintain the fan excitement during the interval before the opening kickoff of the game while utilizing some of the program’s most time honored traditions.

The new kickoff video will make its debut on Saturday, but fans can get a sneak preview on Twitter by following Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long (@JeffLongUA). On Friday at Noon, Long will tweet out a teaser of the video that will be used on game day.

Coach Bret Bielema is also encouraging Razorback fans to help out the defense when the opposing team faces third down. By utilizing the abbreviated Hog Call Razorback fans have traditionally used on kickoffs, the third-down cheer will help raise the noise level in the stadium in a way unique to the Razorbacks. As the opposing team’s center stands over the football, fans should start the “Woo” of the Hog Call and hold until the snap of the ball. At the snap of the football, fans should finish the Hog Call with “Pig Sooie.”

Even before they make it to the stadium, fans have a chance to show their Razorback pride with “Big Red Friday.” Fans are encouraged to wear their Razorback Red and send in their photos to [email protected]. Photos will be used for a photo album on Facebook and re-tweeted on @ArkRazorbacks.

Social media also offers some additional opportunities for fans to get interactive at the game. Thanks to Lodestone technology, fans can tweet @ArkRazorbacks with the hash tag #HogFans to see their photo on the big screen at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Fans can also tweet @ArkRazorbacks with the hash tag #NeverYield to see their tweets on the video board.